Alberto João Jardim, associate of Marques Mendes, endorses Gouveia and Melo for remaining "unaffiliated with political parties"
In a surprising turn of events, Alberto João, the former president of the Regional Government of Madeira, has thrown his support behind Luís Marques Mendes, a prominent figure within the Social Democratic Party (PSD), who has announced his candidacy for the 2026 Portuguese presidential election. However, this endorsement comes amidst a backdrop of internal divisions and tensions within the PSD, as the party grapples with strategic conflicts and intra-party power struggles.
Marques Mendes' nomination has already generated reservations and dissent within the party, with some key figures expressing reservations about his candidacy. One such figure is Rui Rio, a former PSD leader and predecessor to the current leader Luís Montenegro. Rio has openly declared his support for Henrique Gouveia e Melo, an amiral running independently, in an attempt to "unite the Portuguese" rather than aligning fully with the PSD candidate.
This internal discord risks undermining PSD’s unity and electoral strength, potentially affecting its ability to rally voters for the 2026 presidential race. The party's decision to choose its own candidate has been criticised by some as reflecting a partisan nature, a view shared by Alberto João.
However, the former president of Madeira has given his support to Marques Mendes, citing his "not entangled with the parties" stance as a key reason for his endorsement. It is also worth noting that the two men are friends.
The internal discord within the PSD highlights a party divided on how to approach the election and candidate support. This fragmented scenario within the PSD is further complicated by the growing strength of other political forces, such as Chega on the far-right, locally.
This unstable and fragmented party environment could have significant implications for the 2026 presidential election, with the PSD's stance yet to be clearly defined. As the race heats up, it remains to be seen how the party will navigate these internal divisions and present a united front to the electorate.
The internal discord within the Social Democratic Party (PSD) over Marques Mendes' candidacy risks fracturing the party's unity and electoral strength, potentially impacting its performance in the 2026 presidential election. Alberto João, a former PSD ally and now supporter of Marques Mendes, believes this partisan nature of the party's decision-making reflects poorly on their stance and strategy in policy-and-legislation and politics, particularly in the context of the general news landscape.
